Border Arrest After Tragic Incident in Mexico
The officer was intercepted while attempting to enter the U.S. with his son, who is unharmed and now under state custody.
Chad Eberle, a 35-year-old police officer from Texas, was arrested on August 4, 2026 at the International Bridge II in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, as he tried to cross back into the United States with his 3-year-old son. The arrest came after an alleged multiple homicide in Saltillo, a city in northern Mexico.
What Happened in Saltillo?
According to the Attorney General's Office of the State of Coahuila, the tragic event occurred on the afternoon of August 4, 2026 at a residence in the Antonio Cárdenas neighborhood of Saltillo. Eberle reportedly went to the home to take his son without the mother's consent. When he didn't get a favorable response, a family argument broke out and escalated when the former officer opened fire on those present.
The victims were identified as Ana Laura (44), Laura Jaquelín (22), and Emanuel (44). The boy's mother, identified as Litzy (26), suffered a gunshot wound to the head and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
The Chase, Capture, and Child Protection
After the attack, Eberle fled the scene in a gray Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, taking his 3-year-old son with him. Mexican authorities tracked the vehicle toward the border and intercepted it just before it could cross into Eagle Pass, Texas.
State Attorney General Federico Fernández confirmed that the child was unharmed and was placed under the care of the Procuraduría para Niños, Niñas y la Familia (PRONNIF) – Mexico's child protective services – to ensure full protection of his rights. Eberle was admitted to the Saltillo Men's Penitentiary at 9:59 PM on August 6, 2026, facing charges of femicide and aggravated homicide.
Who Is Chad Eberle?
U.S. media identified Eberle as an unpaid reserve police officer in the small Texas town of Santa Anna, hired in November 2025, who was on personal leave at the time. Previously, he worked as a deputy sheriff in Bexar County (which includes San Antonio) and as a police officer for the Northside Independent School District. He also served in the communities of Somerset, Marble Falls, Gregory, Lockney, and Bangs. Additionally, he is a U.S. Army veteran.